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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127936
By Geoff Meyer LOMMEL, BELGIUM, MAR. 15 hen you match World 250cc MX Champion Stefan Everts and World SOOcc MX Champion Joel Smets together, you can be reasonably assured that there will be fireworks. The two riders are among the fastest in the world and, considering they are both proud Belgians, everyone was expecting a figh t for the win between these two riders on the deeprutted sand track of Lomme!. But throw Du tch sand specialist Leon Giesbers into the equation, and suddenly you have a three-man showdown. At Lommel, KTM's Giesbers proved he can keep pace with Honda's Everts and Husaberg's Smets after overalling the race, thus leaving the World Champions wondering what the next few weeks will bring. Early indications at Lommel showed it would in fact be Everts and Smets who would be the front-runners, along with German Honda rider Pit Beirer. Beirer, who has settled nicely into the roll of Honda's next superstar, qualified well on the Lommel track, a track that is usually not to his liking. "To race with the Belgians on this track is maybe possible," Beirer said, "but I can't be sure." Giesbers would finish in 16th place in timed practice. ''I'm having trouble with the bike," the young KTM rider confessed. "I usually like this track. I need to sort some things out; otherwise it will be tough." Everts, on the other hand, was not playing around. "This is all about getting ready for the GP season," Everts said. "I expect to win today, no doubt about it." Heavy rain on Friday and Saturday caused the Lommel track to be at its worst, and by the time the 250/500cc moto came around, deep holes had formed, leaving a very wet line on the outside. Proving that his talent for a quick start is always consistent, Everts blasted out ahead of Smets, Beirer and Werner Dewit. In no time at all, Everts and Smets were looking great, as Beirer rode the Lommel track like never before. "I don't know what it is - I have always struggled a little on sand tracks, but this bike I have from Honda has so many little changes that it now seems easy," Beirer said of his top-three position. Everts, with the support of the large Belgian crowd, looked in brilliant form, edging away from Smets and Beirer. Back in 21st place, Giesbers was on a charge, powering past former World SODcc MX Champions Shayne King and Jacky Martens, but he still looked to have no real chance of catching the top three. "I knew as soon as I hit turn one in nearly last place, it was going to be a long race, but I settled into a nice pace and really had a good time," said Giesbers, who had moved from 21st to 10th in only three laps. Further back, Winfield Suzuki rider Marnicq Bervoets was eating his share of wet sand. "This is the worst I have ridden for a long time," Bervoets said. "It's appalling." He would retire on lap 13, along with King. Still, the loss of two of th~ top riders in the world would not dampen the action, as Smets would catch Everts and drag Beirer along with him. Smets took over the lead, but Everts fought back. . "I really got tired near the middle of the race," said Everts. "The deep ruts meant I was pushing the bike a lot, and passing the slower riders was difficult, as the outside line was very thick mud. W • In Joel was coming and there was nothing I could do, but when he passed me, I thought, 'You're not getting it that easy: and I was able to pass him back." Once Smets lost his lead, he then also lost some time and, in no time, Beirer and Smets were in a heated battle for the number-two spot. "I could see Joel and I felt great," Beirer said. "Then I came over a jump and he was sitting by his bike." Smets had crashed and broken his fuel tank. "I had fuel allover me, and it was killing me," Smets said. "Then the bike ran dry. I was able to get back to the pits and get a quick refill." Beirer was also suffering from fuel problems of his own. "Ju t after passing Joel for second, my bike misfired and stopped. It was empty. I don't know what I will do in the second moto. I don't want to ride half-throttle," said a retired Beirer. From here on in, it was all Everts, winning easily over an amazing charge by Giesbers and Smets, who managed to keep third place. Fourth went to Peter Iven and fifth to Werner Dewit. With everyone suffering some type of fuel problem (except Everts and Giesbers), the pits became a buzz of anticipation, with many of the riders not knowing what plan to take into the second moto. But Everts was sure of one thing. "I showed all the riders my new big tank this morning, and they all laughed; now I'm laughing:' said the four-time World Champion. Giesbers had his story also: '1 have the same tank I used for the Le Touquet. It's 15 liters (3.9 gallons); I only need 12 (AbOve) Dutch rider Leon Glesbers topped the Belgium International GP warmup Motocross at Lommel. (Above left) Defending 250Cc Motocross World Champion Stefan Everts took runner-up honors. (Right) Belgian Joel Smets, the defending 500cc World Champion, finished third. liters (3.1 gallons) here." Beirer, on the other hand, figured he had enough - but he w¥ wrong. '1 also have a bigger tank, but it's only 11 liters (2.7 gallons); I thoug~t it would be enough," he said. The start of the second moto proved very important for Giesbers, who was quickly into the lead riders, unlike his first-moto showing. '1 knew if I could get a good start, I could get to the lead early," Giesbers said. "I talked to my manager and he told me to take it easy, don't go too hard, and I didn't." Everts, who had looked strong early on, was soon slowing and, while he kept the lead, Smets was again taking his Husaberg past the Honda of Everts. . Beirer, as it turned ou t, would not need to worry about fuel. "I crashed and ripped my radiator off; water was everywhere," said Beirer, who was forced to retire. Giesbers moved into third and with- in a few laps was past both Everts and Smets and looking for the biggest win of his young career. "To beat these guys - it's great," he said. ''I'm riding very well, and with Talavera (the opening round of the World 250cc GP series) only two weeks away, this is the perfect start," Giesbers said as he climbed onto the podium with second-placed Smets and thirdplaced Everts. l~ Belgium International MX Lommel, Belgium Results: March 15, 1998 O/A: 1. Leon Giesbe.rs (KTM); 2. Stefan Everts (Hon); 3. Joel SmelS (Hbg).